Legal professionals play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning and compliance of companies. They provide expert advice on legal matters, such as contracts, regulations, and litigation, and help organizations navigate through complex legal challenges. One such leader is Krishna Panda, who currently serves as the Head- Legal and Company Secretary at the Runaya Group. Krishna Panda holds a degree in CS, M. Com, and LLB. Her ability to manage legal compliances efficiently while also promoting innovation and automation has made her valuable asset to the Runaya Group. Let’s dive deep and learn more about her journey.

Tell us about your early education and any prior work experience you have in the business.

Like any other child from the 90s, my initial aspirations were to become an Engineer or Doctor. However, after completing my 10th Board exams, my father encouraged me to take a different path and suggested that I consider the commerce stream instead of the more traditional Science stream. This decision ultimately led me to where I am today. Following my graduation, I successfully qualified for Company Secretaryship at the age of 22. I briefly worked in a government job, but soon realized that it was not the right fit for me. I subsequently left the government job and pursued a career as a Company Secretary and ever since then, there’s been no turning back.

During my career, I have gained extensive industry experience in various positions, including Company Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer, and Group Legal Head, for companies such as Alfa Transformers, Dow Dupont, Continental Hospitals, and Runaya. Over the past decade, my expertise has included managing Board Room dynamics, serving as the conscience keeper of the Board, providing professional guidance on the company's strategic decisions, managing relationships with stakeholders, and serving as in-house counsel on various legal matters. While pursuing my LLB and M. Com degrees alongside my job, I have learned valuable skills such as patience and handling pressure, which have been instrumental in my success.

Introduce Runaya to us. Describe the various duties you perform for the organization as its Legal Head.

Runaya is a manufacturing startup that utilizes advanced technology and international partnerships to provide services and products to the industrial waste management industry, telecommunication industry, and mining and construction industry. Runaya has set a remarkable benchmark for safety, sustainability, and inclusivity (80 percent gender diversity) standards in the workplace and in the industry.

As the Legal Head and Company Secretary of Runaya, I oversee the entire Secretarial, litigation, and contract management, ensure compliance around all plants across India, draft various SOPS, Policies, conduct due diligence, and am involved in legal aspects of patents, trademarks, and more. I also analyze and identify the legal risks and implications and keep the senior management informed of developments in laws and regulations that potentially affect the business.

"Raise your bar, strive for excellence, & do away with living a life of mediocrity. Keep learning & help others in their growth"

Tell us about the various challenges you encounter in your current role at Runaya. How do you overcome the roadblocks that you face?

At Runaya, employees are given ample opportunities to explore new ideas and are encouraged to think innovatively. My working style took a paradigm shift when I joined Runaya. We are asked to THINK GREEN and create SUSTAINABLE outcomes to bring an impact to the community at large. Our company culture emphasizes diversity, innovation, automation, and digitalization to achieve goals efficiently. Some of my initiatives include centralized online compliance and contract tools, automated license trackers, legal data being tracked through management information systems, and creating online data repositories. These new ways of working have been challenging but have also served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

Tell us about the significant pivotal moments in your professional career. What has been the key to your success?

Over the course of my ten-year career, I have accomplished several significant achievements. In 2017, I successfully completed the corporate restructuring process at Alfa Transformers, a listed entity. In 2018, I was involved in the successful split of Dow Du Pont. In 2020, I served as Secretary to the Board of a joint venture between Continental Hospitals and Gleneagles (a Singapore entity). Presently I am handling the entire compliance and legal of Runaya Group with some successful assignments through automation and digitalization tools.

What steps do you take to stay aligned with periodically changing industry rules and regulations?

In the present competitive era, it is essential to improve one's skills and stay updated. Confidence comes from being able to support your facts with relevant case studies and extracts on paper. As a professional in a demanding field where various stakeholders rely on my advice, I make sure to stay updated on relevant amendments, new laws, and other important information through various journals, official websites of Ministries and Courts, and study materials for professional exams such as CA, CS, and ICWAI, and attending study circles, webinars, and seminars.

What advice or message would you give young women who aspire to become leaders or entrepreneurs?

Raise your bar, strive for excellence, and do away with living a life of mediocrity. Keep learning and help others in their growth. Be understanding and open to new possibilities. Do not limit yourself to a specific area, instead, explore new opportunities, experiment with different approaches, and expand your skills because you were born to excel!

Krishna Panda, Head-Legal & Company Secretary, Runaya

KRISHNA PANDA is the Head-Legal and Company Secretary at Runaya. She has 10 years of experience. Well-versed with SEBI compliance, Companies Act, Litigation, Corporate Restructuring, Contracts, automation, and digitalization of doing work and target oriented.